Ryan Hall Eyes East Coast Marathons

As an eighth grader in the small mountain town of Big Bear, California, Ryan Hall was a discouraged athlete. He tried his hand at basketball, baseball and football, but spent most of his time riding the bench.

What a difference a decade makes.

Now a professional distance runner sponsored by Asics with numerous track and cross-country titles under his belt, Hall, 24, is contemplating a new phase in his career as a marathon runner. In 2007, Hall plans to not only make his marathon debut, but to qualify in this event for the 2008 Olympic team.

“We all have 2008 in our sights,” Hall said.

Hall made a name for himself in high school, setting course records and winning state titles, in the 1,500-meter run. In college, he was NCAA champion in the 5K. Since he turned professional last year, he has won national titles in the 10K (road), 12K (xc) and 20K (road).

As his distances have increased, so has his success. The marathon looks to be the next logical step. While most athletes significantly alter their routine to become marathoners, Hall said, “I’ve hardly had to change my training at all.” He said, “I’ve always trained at higher mileage, running the longer distances.” He also acknowledged the advantage of growing up and training in high altitudes. While preparing for his first marathon, Hall will split his training time between Mammoth, San Diego and Big Bear.

Back in the Hall household in Big Bear, the thought of Ryan becoming a marathoner has sparked controversy. “My dad understands running and why I want to try marathons,” Hall said.

His dad, Mickey Hall, is a former Ironman triathlete and was Ryan’s coach in high school. “I’m very excited for him because I’ve always thought the marathon was his race,” Mickey Hall said. “Ryan has always been an outstanding long threshold runner.”

“Mom is more skeptical,” said Hall. “She just worries. She says, ‘Running marathons is not good for your body!’” Even Hall admitted, “I am pretty young for marathons. But we are seeing more and more young runners defy the stereotypes.”

The New York Road Runners, courted Hall this November, hoping he would make his marathon debut at their event. “They recruit younger athletes and bring us out, hoping we’ll run in the future,” Hall explained.

While seeing the world’s best marathoners at the NYC Marathon did inspire Hall, he confessed, “I am kind of scared.” He said, “I watched their legs and I felt like I was running with them. I knew they were hurting and cramping and it was like I could feel their pain.”

Making his marathon debut in New York would bode well for Hall, as he won two titles there this year. In February, he finished nearly a minute ahead of the field in the long course race to win the USA Cross Country Championship in New York City. In September, Hall set a course record and won the Great Cow Harbor 10K Run in Northport, New York.

“It has been a good year,” said Hall.

In spite of his New York success, Boston looks to be the place where Hall will compete for the first time as a marathoner. Though no official announcements have been made, his dad Mickey Hall said, “I’ve begun to train for Boston, so I can at least be there when he starts.”

If he doesn’t run in Boston, Hall said the 2008 Olympic Trials could be his first marathon. If he doesn't make the Olympic Team over 26.2 miles, he will try to qualify in the 10,000m the following year.

“I believe the [marathon] training will make him faster for the 5,000 and 10,000 meter events,” Mickey Hall said. “I believe he has definite medal potential in [the 10,000m] in the Olympics.” Many others who follow the cross-country circuit are also hopeful about the showing Hall and the other young Americans will make at the next Olympic games. “I’m happy to be a part of it,” Hall said. “I like to see the U.S. doing well.”

Not that it is all fame and glory for Hall now.

At his first-ever official autograph session set up by his sponsor Asics at the NYC marathon expo, Hall sat beside his newlywed wife and former Stanford teammate Sarah. They were seated at a long table in a white booth surrounded by posters of themselves at various races.

Hall saw a young boy standing slightly back, looking toward the booth. He waved the boy over and, pen poised, asked, “Would you like an autograph?”

The boy looked Hall square in the face, thought for a moment, and said simply, “No.” Then he turned and walked away.“It was definitely humbling,” Hall said with a laugh. “But it keeps things in perspective.”

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